Energy of a Pendulum - Data Sheet

Table 1 

Trial

Distance From Block to Bob

Distance Block Moves

1

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Average Distance Block Moved ____________________________

 

 

Table 2

Trial

Distance From Block to Bob

Distance Block Moves

1

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Average Distance Block Moved ____________________________

 

 

  1. What happens to the block of wood when it was hit by the pendulum bob?

     

  2. Kinetic energy is energy of motion and potential energy is stored energy. What kind of energy did the bob give to the block?

     

  3. Where would you place the block for the pendulum bob to push the block the farthest?

     

  4. If the energy of the pendulum is either stored (potential) or moving (kinetic), where in the swing does the pendulum have the most potential energy? Explain how you know.

     

  5. Where in the swing does the pendulum have the most kinetic energy (speed)? Explain how you know.